What would you do if you won a cool $1 million? We’re willing to bet good money that you’d spend a portion of the prize on an epic holiday. Let’s face it, travelling to dream destinations is something we all wish we could do more often – if only it didn’t cost an arm and a leg. But here’s the good news: there are some easy ways to save your hard-earned dollaroos when planning your next getaway. Timing is key, and we’ve got the inside scoop on exactly when you should be booking your 2025 holiday for maximum savings. Heads up: booking too far ahead might actually do more harm than good.
According to the money-saving specialists at Coupon Mister, the best time to book domestic flights is one to two months in advance. This golden window occurs just after airlines have released their flight schedules, but before they start bumping up prices for last-minute bookings. Savvy travellers who book during this period will have a larger selection of flights to choose from at relatively lower prices compared to those who book just a few weeks or days out. For international trips, this sweet spot stretches from three to six months prior – since overseas flights tend to have a longer lead time.
A word of warning: being too organised can backfire when it comes to booking flights. Airlines release seats in batches, so booking too early could mean missing out on the best deals that pop up later as demand for flights increases and more become available. Plus, you don’t want to see your money go down the drain if something important comes up and you need to cancel your flight at the 11th hour.
There is one exception to this rule, and that’s flash sales (ka-ching!). All you savvy travellers know that airlines often release last-minute deals and specials via their newsletters, which are typically blasted out on Mondays and Tuesdays. Snagging these bargains requires some spontaneity or risk-taking, but the savings can be well worth it. The logic behind start-of-the-week specials is that people tend to begin planning their trips on the weekend, so by Monday, they have a better idea of when and where they want to travel. Hence, these promo deals nudge them to press ‘complete booking’.
Ready to take on the world? Here are the cheapest international destinations to fly from Australia.